Conductor guide system

ABSTRACT

A conductor guide system for guiding one or more conductors is disclosed. The conductor guide system can include a first base section and a second base section. A joint can be used to assemble the first base section and the second base section in series. The conductor guide system can further include a roller assembly for holding one or more conductors. The roller assembly, when mounted on one of the first base section or the second base section, holds the one or more conductors off of the one of the first base section or the second base section to which the roller assembly is mounted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/205,294, entitled “Conductor Guide System,”filed Jul. 8, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,125,896, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety and which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/189,896, entitled “Conductor GuideSystem,” filed Jul. 8, 2015, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to apparatuses and methods forguiding one or more conductors during installation. More particularly,the present disclosure is directed to a conductor guide system forguiding one or more conductors from a source, such as a conductor reelon which the conductors are loaded, to a destination, such as a conduit,raceway, or cable tray, for installation.

Electrical needs of modern facilities such as houses, apartmentbuildings, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, office buildings, andthe like, have increased as the use of electrical devices has increased.During the construction of buildings or the upgrade ofelectrical/communication systems, conductors are typically pulledthrough a conduit from a source to electrical panels and powerconsumption sites. Because of the length of the conductors needed incertain installations, the conductors are typically wound around one ormore conductor reels at an installation facility. A truck is typicallyused to transport the conductor reels, which may weigh several tons,from the installation facility where the conductors were loaded on theconductor reels to the site where the conductors are to be installed.The conductor reels are typically lifted from the truck transporting theconductor reels and moved to a location where the conductors are to beinstalled, such as proximate a conduit, raceway, or cable tray forreceiving the conductors.

However, in some situations, geographical and structural limitations andbarriers at a site prevent the conductor reels from being movedproximate the conduit, raceway, cable tray, or other destination forinstallation. In these situations, technicians are required to touch andmanually guide the conductors as the conductors are pulled, typicallywith the aid of a puller system (“puller”), off the conductor reels androuted to the conduit, raceway, or cable tray for installation in orderto direct the conductors along the route from the conductor reels to theconduit, raceway, or cable tray and protect the conductors from damageas the conductors move along the route. Depending on the distancebetween the source, such as the conductor reel, and the destination,such as a conduit, raceway, or cable tray, and the number and weight ofthe conductors being installed, multiple technicians may be requiredjust to guide the conductors to the destination. In addition toincreasing the amount of manpower needed at a site, requiringtechnicians to manually guide conductors from a source to a destination,as discussed above, exposes the technicians to possible injury, such asback and shoulder injuries caused by the exertion required to supportand guide the conductors as the conductors move along the route from thesource to the destination as well as finger and hand injuries fromgetting one or more fingers or hands caught between the conductors orbetween the conductors and the conduit as the conductors enter theconduit and/or getting one or more fingers or hands pinched between theconductors and a building structure on the route to the destination.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a conductor guide system.According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologiesdescribed herein, the conductor guide system can include a first basesection and a second base section. The first base section and the secondbase section can be assembled in series by a joint. A roller assemblyfor holding one or more linear elements can be mounted on either of thefirst base section or the second base section. The roller assembly, whenmounted on either of the first base section or the second base section,can hold the one or more linear elements off of the base section onwhich the roller assembly is mounted.

In some embodiments, the conductor guide system can include a first basesection and a second base section. The first base section and the secondbase section can be assembled in series by a joint. The joint caninclude a first pivot point, a second pivot point, and a third pivotpoint such that, when the first base section is assembled with thesecond base section in series by the joint, the first base section canbe rotated relative to the second base section about the first pivotpoint, the second pivot point, and the third pivot point of the joint.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to be used to limit the scopeof the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matteris not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantagesnoted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conductor guide system, according toillustrative embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2B are side views of a base section of the conductor guidesystem, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIGS. 2C-2D are side views of a base section of the conductor guidesystem, according to an alternative embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3B are perspective views of a roller attachment and an explodedview of the roller attachment of the conductor guide system,respectively, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIGS. 3C-3E are perspective views of a roller attachment of theconductor guide system, according to an alternative illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a joint of the conductor guide system,according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an alternative joint of the conductorguide system, according to an illustrative embodiment.

FIGS. 5A-5F are side and top views of the joint of the conductor guidesystem assembled on a first base section and a second base sectionillustrating various angles afforded the base sections by the joint,according to illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 5G provides a visual of the eight octants created by theintersection of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis.

FIGS. 6A-6B are perspective views of a reel attachment of the conductorguide system, according to illustrative embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7B are perspective views of a feeder attachment, according toan illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to systems, methods andapparatuses for guiding conductors. According to some implementations, aconductor guide system is used to guide conductors from a source, suchas one or more conductor reels, to a destination, such as a conduit orraceway. Although the systems, methods, and apparatuses are sometimesdescribed in the aforementioned context, it should be understood thatthe systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein may additionallyor alternatively be used in other contexts to guide other linearelements such as, for example, a hose, rope, wire, cable, and/or linethrough a route from a source to a destination. As such, the particularimplementations described herein should not be construed as beinglimiting in any way. This description provides various components, oneor more of which may be included in particular implementations of thesystems and apparatuses disclosed herein. In illustrating and describingthese various components, however, it is noted that implementations ofthe embodiments disclosed herein may include any combination of thesecomponents, including combinations other than those shown in thisdescription.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a conductor guide system100 will be described in detail in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. The conductor guide system 100 includes a first base section102A and a second base section 102B connected together in series by ajoint 118. As described further herein, the joint 118 allows theconductor guide system 100 to be configured in a plurality ofarrangements to accommodate the topography, including bends, corners,elevations, and depressions, of a route traveled by conductors from asource of the conductors, such as a conductor reel, to a destination ofthe conductors, such as a conduit, raceway, or cable tray. The conductorguide system 100 further includes a plurality of roller assemblies120A-120N attached to the first and second base sections 102A-B forreceiving, maintaining, and guiding one or more conductors as theconductors are pulled from a source to a destination. According toembodiments, one or more conductors are fed into the roller assemblies120A-120N to route and guide the conductors from a source, such as aconductor reel, to a destination, such as a conduit, raceway, or cabletray. As the conductors are pulled through the roller assemblies120A-120N, the roller assemblies 120A-120N hold the conductors off ofthe base sections of the guide assembly, such as the first and secondbase sections 102A and 102B, and off of the ground and away fromobstructions, floor debris, or anything else that may damage orcompromise the conductors and/or the insulation, jacket, or sheath ofthe conductors. As will be described and illustrated further herein, theconductor guide system 100 allows the conductors to travel over any typeof topography that may exist between a source and a destination withoutrequiring multiple technicians to manually guide the conductors. Inparticular, the conductor guide system 100 allows the conductors totraverse over flat surfaces, up elevations, and down depressions as wellas maneuver around corners as the conductors are pulled from a source toa destination.

Although only two base sections (the first and second base sections102A-B), one joint (the joint 118), and eight roller assemblies(including the roller assemblies 120A-120N) are shown in FIG. 1, theconductor guide system 100 may include any number of base sections andcorresponding joints for connecting the base sections together in seriesas well as any number of roller assemblies for guiding the conductors asthey are pulled from a source to a destination. According to someembodiments, the distance between a source of one or more conductors,such as a conductor reel, to a destination for the conductors, such as aconduit, raceway, or cable tray, drives the number of base sections,corresponding joints, and roller assemblies needed to guide theconductors from the source to the destination. According to furtherembodiments, the conductor guide system 100 may include just one basesection and one or more of the roller assemblies 120A-120N. Moreover,since the construction of the first base section 102A is similar to theconstruction of the second base section 102B, the following discussionfocuses on the first base section 102A with the understanding that thedescription also applies to the second base section 102B or any otherbase section of the conductor guide system 100. Although the term“conductors” is used throughout the specification, it should beunderstood that any linear element such as a hose, rope, or line can beguided by the conductor guide system 100 and that terms such as wire,cable, conductor, or any equivalent terms may be used interchangeablythroughout this description. A “conductor” as used herein may be anymaterial that allows energy transmission through the material, andnon-limiting examples of conductors include electrical wire and fiberoptic cable.

In some embodiments, the first base section 102A of the conductor guidesystem 100 includes telescoping tubular members. As illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2A-2B, the first base section 102A may include a first tubularmember 104 and a second tubular member 106 both having a size that willtelescope, or slide, within a third tubular member 108 to condense theoverall length of the first base section 102A when the first tubularmember 104 and the second tubular member 106 are retracted within thethird tubular member 108. According to some embodiments, the outsidediameter of both the first tubular member 104 and the second tubularmember 106 is 1.75″×1.75″, and the inside diameter of the third tubularmember 108 is 1.81″×1.81″, allowing the first tubular member 104 and thesecond tubular member 106 to slide within the third tubular member 108,although other outside diameters for the first and second tubularmembers 104, 106 and other inside diameters for the third tubular member108 are contemplated and covered by the description. While the firstbase section 102A is illustrated with three telescoping tubular members,it should be understood that the first base section 102A may includefewer tubular members. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2C-2D, afirst base section 102A′ may include a first tubular member 104′ havinga size that will telescope, or slide, within a second tubular member108′ to condense the overall length of the first base section 102A′ whenthe first tubular member 104′ is retracted within the second tubularmember 108′. Alternatively, it should be understood that the first basesection 102A may include more than three telescoping tubular members toincrease the overall length of the first base section 102A. For example,the first base section 102A may include additional tubular members thatretract within the first tubular member 104 and/or the second tubularmember 106 and then ultimately within the third tubular member 108. Thetelescoping action of each of the base sections, such as the first andsecond base sections 102A-B, making up the conductor guide system 100allows the conductor guide system 100 to be condensed into a compactspace such that approximately fifty feet of extendibility of theconductor guide system 100 is transportable on a two-wheeled dolly.

In some embodiments, the first and second tubular members 104, 106 havesquare cross sections that correspond with the square cross section ofthe third tubular member 108 of the first base section 102A, whichprovide for a stable foundation for the roller assemblies 120A-120N ofthe conductor guide system 100. The cross sections of the first, second,and third tubular members 104, 106, and 108 may take other shapes suchas, for example, rectangle, triangle, flat oval, hexagon, other polygon,or irregular. The first, second, and third tubular members 104, 106, and108 may be formed from metal, plastic, carbon composite, rubber, othermaterials, and/or combinations thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2Band discussed with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B, the third tubular member108 includes a plurality of holes 110A-110N passing through a first sideof the third tubular member 108 and a plurality of corresponding holes(not shown) passing through a second side opposite the first side of thethird tubular member 108.

According to embodiments, the first tubular member 104 also includes aplurality of holes 112A-112N passing through a first side of the firsttubular member 104 and a plurality of corresponding holes (not shown)passing through a second side opposite the first side of the firsttubular member 104. The second tubular member 106 also includes aplurality of holes 114A-114N passing through a first side of the secondtubular member 106 and a plurality of corresponding holes (not shown)passing through a second side opposite the first side of the secondtubular member 106. In some embodiments, at least a portion of theplurality of holes 112A-112N and the plurality of corresponding holes ofthe first tubular member 104 are spaced to correspond to and align withat least a portion of the plurality of holes 110A-110N and the pluralityof corresponding holes of the third tubular member 108, respectively,when at least a portion of the first tubular member 104 is retractedwithin at least a portion of the third tubular member 108. When at leasta portion of the first tubular member 104 is retracted within at least aportion of the third tubular member 108, a roller assembly, such as theroller assembly 120A, may be assembled on the first base section 102A byengaging, with pin assemblies of the roller assembly 120A discussedfurther with reference to FIG. 3A, a hole and its corresponding hole,such as the hole 110B and its corresponding hole, of the third tubularmember 108 as well as a hole and its corresponding hole, such as thehole 112D and its corresponding hole, of the first tubular member 104that are aligned with the hole 110B and its corresponding hole of thethird tubular member 108.

Similarly, at least a portion of the plurality of holes 114A-114N andthe plurality of corresponding holes of the second tubular member 106are spaced to correspond to and align with at least a portion of theplurality of holes 110A-110N and the plurality of corresponding holes ofthe third tubular member 108, respectively, when at least a portion ofthe second tubular member 106 is retracted within at least a portion ofthe third tubular member 108. When at least a portion of the secondtubular member 106 is retracted within at least a portion of the thirdtubular member 108, a roller assembly, such as the roller assembly 120B,may be assembled on the first base section 102A by engaging, with pinassemblies of the roller assembly 120B discussed further with referenceto FIG. 3A, a hole and its corresponding hole, such as the hole 110F andits corresponding hole, of the third tubular member 108 as well as ahole and its corresponding hole, such as the hole 114B and itscorresponding hole, of the second tubular member 106 that are alignedwith the hole 110F and its corresponding hole of the third tubularmember 108.

According to embodiments, the first base section 102A also includes oneor more pin assemblies for locking the first and second tubular members104 and 106 relative the third tubular member 108 and, in someembodiments, connecting the first base section 102A with the joint 118.As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the first base section 102A may include aplurality of pin assemblies 116A-116B. Each of the pin assemblies116A-116B comprises a retractable stop member, such as a pin or plunger,that extends through an opening in the third tubular member 108 and intoa hole aligned with the pin assembly to engage and hold in placewhatever is associated with the hole, when the pin assembly is placed inan engaged position. To disengage each of the pin assemblies 116A-116B,a handle or ring of the pin assembly is pulled back to retract the stopmember from the hole aligned with the pin assembly.

When the pin assembly 116A of the third tubular member 108 is placed inthe engaged position, such as when the handle or ring is released, thepin or plunger of the pin assembly 116A extends through an opening inthe third tubular member 108 and into one of the holes 112A-112N of thefirst tubular member 104 aligned with the pin assembly 116A to lock thefirst tubular member 104 relative to the third tubular member 108. Todisengage the pin assembly 116A, the pin assembly 116A is put in aretracted position by pulling back on the handle or ring of the pinassembly 116A to retract the pin or plunger of the pin assembly 116Afrom the hole of the first tubular member 104 aligned with the pinassembly 116A. The first tubular member 104 can then be slid toward oraway from the third tubular member 108 to retract or expand,respectively, the first tubular member 104 relative the third tubularmember 108. As the first tubular member 104 is slid relative to thethird tubular member 108, the pin assembly 116A can be moved back to theengaged position by releasing the handle or ring to cause the pin orplunger of the pin assembly 116A to engage any of the plurality of holes112A-112N of the first tubular member 104 that align with the pinassembly 116A so as to lock the first tubular member 104 relative to thethird tubular member 108, allowing the first base section 102A to beretracted or extended to a plurality of overall lengths as may bedemanded by a particular route from a source to a destination.

When the pin assembly 116B of the third tubular member 108 is placed inthe engaged position, such as when the handle or ring is released, thepin or plunger of the pin assembly 116B extends through an opening inthe third tubular member 108 and into one of the holes 114A-114N of thesecond tubular member 106 aligned with the pin assembly 116B to lock thesecond tubular member 106 relative to the third tubular member 108. Todisengage the pin assembly 116B, the pin assembly 116B is put in aretracted position by pulling back on the handle or ring of the pinassembly 116B to retract the pin or plunger of the pin assembly 116Bfrom the hole of the second tubular member 106 aligned with the pinassembly 116B. The second tubular member 106 can then be slid toward oraway from the third tubular member 108 to retract or expand,respectively, the second tubular member 106 relative the third tubularmember 108. As the second tubular member 106 is slid relative to thethird tubular member 108, the pin assembly 116B can be moved back to theengaged position by releasing the handle or ring to cause the pin orplunger of the pin assembly 116B to engage any of the plurality of holes114A-114N of the second tubular member 106 that align with the pinassembly 116B so as to lock the second tubular member 106 relative tothe third tubular member 108, allowing the first base section 102A to beretracted or extended to a plurality of overall lengths as may bedemanded by a particular route from a source to a destination.

Non-limiting examples of the pin assemblies 116A-116B includespring-loaded pull pins and indexing plungers that are affixed to thethird tubular member 108. Alternatively, the pin assemblies 116A-116Bmay include a quick release pin, and the openings on the third tubularmember 108 for receiving the quick release pins may be similar to theplurality of holes 110A-110N of the third tubular member 108.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A-3B, the roller assemblies 120A-120N will bedescribed in detail in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Sincethe construction of each of the roller assemblies 120A-120N is similar,the following discussion focuses on the roller assembly 120A with theunderstanding that the description also applies to each of the remainingplurality of roller assemblies 120B-120N. According to illustrativeembodiments and as shown in FIG. 3A, the roller assembly 120A includes ahead portion 300 for receiving, maintaining, and aiding in guiding oneor more conductors being pulled from a source to a destination. Theroller assembly 120A further includes a mount portion 302 connected tothe head portion 300 for attaching the roller assembly 120A to one ofthe base sections, such as the first base section 102A, of the conductorguide system 100.

The head portion 300 comprises one or more rollers 304A-304D that rotatefreely relative to the roller assembly 120A as one or more conductors,being pulled along a route from a source to a destination, roll over therollers 304A-304D. According to some embodiments, each of the rollers304A-304D defines an interior cavity for receiving one of a plurality ofsupports 316, 318, 320, and 322, as discussed further herein withreference to FIG. 3B. Each of the rollers 304A-304D, as represented bythe roller 304A, has a first end 308 and a second end 310 spaced apartfrom and opposite the first end 308. As shown in FIG. 3A, starting at acenter point of the roller 304A and traversing in opposite directionsalong a longitudinal axis of the roller 304A towards the first end 308and the second end 310, the roller 304A transitions from being generallycylindrical in shape to sloping inward at an angle 314 at both the firstend 308 and the second end 310, according to some embodiments.Alternatively, the roller 304A may transition from having a generallycylindrical shape to flaring outward at first angles and then slopingback inward at second angles at the first and second ends 308, 310 tocreate ridges at the first and second ends 308, 310. According tofurther alternative embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D,the roller 304A′ has a generally cylindrical shape throughout from thefirst end 308′ to the second end 310′. When the roller assembly 120A isconstructed, as shown in FIG. 3A, the angles 314 of each of the rollers304A-304D align with one of the angles 314 of two neighboring rollers tocreate an interior corner 312 between each neighboring roller of therollers 304A-304D that prevents conductors from being damaged by gettingsnagged, caught, or pinched between the rollers 304A-304D as theconductors are fed through the roller assembly 120A. The rollers304A-304D may be formed from metal, plastic, carbon composite, rubber,other materials, and/or combinations thereof.

Turning now to FIG. 3B, the supports 316, 318, 320, and 322, interlockwith one another and mount on a bracket 324 to form, along with therollers 304A-304D, the head portion 300. Considering FIG. 3B, thesupport 318 has a first end 326 and a second end 328 spaced apart fromand opposite the first end 326. According to some embodiments, the firstend 326 includes a groove 330 and a first hole 332 for interlocking thesupport 318 with the support 316, as discussed further herein. Thegroove 330 may be cut along a longitudinal axis of the support 318, andthe first hole 332, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the support 318, may be a blind hole that extends from a front of thesupport 318 through to the groove 330 or may be a through hole thatextends from the front of the support 318 through to a back of thesupport 318.

According to illustrative embodiments, a projection 334 extends outwardfrom the second end 328 of the support 318 for insertion into a firsthole 336 of the bracket 324. As shown in FIG. 3B, the projection 334 mayhave a diameter smaller than a diameter of the support 318. According tosome embodiments, the projection 334 defines an opening extending in thedirection of the longitudinal axis of the support 318 for receiving ascrew, bolt, or other fastener of a fastening assembly 338, which mayalso include a washer, to secure the support 318 to the bracket 324. Thesupport 318 may further include a second hole 340 for interlocking thesupport 318 with the support 320, as described further herein. Thesecond hole 340 may be a blind hole that extends perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the support 318 from a first side of the support318 through at least a portion of the support 318 or may be a throughhole that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support318 from a first side of the support 318 through to a second side of thesupport 318 opposite the first side.

Continuing to consider FIG. 3B, the support 322 has a first end 342 anda second end 344 spaced apart from and opposite the first end 342.According to some embodiments, the first end 342 includes a groove 346and a first hole 348 for securing the support 322 to the support 316, asdiscussed further herein. The groove 346 may be cut along a longitudinalaxis of the support 322, and the first hole 348, which extendsperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support 322, may be ablind hole that extends from a front of the support 322 through to thegroove 346 or may be a through hole that extends from the front of thesupport 322 through to a back of the support 322.

A projection 350 extends outward from the second end 344 of the support322 for insertion into a second hole 352 of the bracket 324. As shown inFIG. 3B, the projection 350 may have a diameter smaller than a diameterof the support 322. According to some embodiments, the projection 350defines an opening extending in the direction of the longitudinal axisof the support 322 for receiving a screw, bolt, or other fastener of afastening assembly 354, which may also include a washer, to secure thesupport 322 to the bracket 324. The support 322 may further include asecond hole (not shown), similar to the second hole 340 of the support318, for interlocking the support 322 with the support 320, as describedfurther herein. The second hole of the support 322 may be a blind holethat extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support 322from a first side of the support 322 through at least a portion of thesupport 322 or may be a through hole that extends perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the support 322 from a first side of the support322 through to a second side of the support 322 opposite the first side.

As discussed briefly above, the supports 318 and 322 interlock with thesupport 320, which has a first end 358 and a second end 360 spaced apartfrom and opposite the first end 358. According to some embodiments, afirst protrusion 362 extends outward from the first end 358 of thesupport 320 for insertion into the second hole 340 of the support 318,and a second protrusion 364 extends outward from the second end 360 ofthe support 320 for insertion into the second hole (not shown) of thesupport 322. The depth of the second hole 340 of the support 318 and thelength of the first protrusion 362 of the support 320 may correspondsuch that, when the first protrusion 362 is inserted into the secondhole 340 of the support 318, the first end 358 of the support 320 sitsflush with the surface of the support 318. Similarly, the depth of thesecond hole (not shown) of the support 322 and the length of the secondprotrusion 364 may correspond such that, when the second protrusion 364is inserted into the second hole of the support 322, the second end 360of the support 320 sits flush with the surface of the support 322.

The supports 318 and 322 also interlock with the support 316, which hasa first end 366 and a second end 368 spaced apart from and opposite thefirst end 366. According to some embodiments, a first tab 370 extendsoutward from the first end 366 of the support 316 and is sized to bereceived within the groove 330 of the support 318. The first tab 370includes a hole 372 that aligns with the first hole 332 of the support318 when the first tab 370 of the support 316 is inserted within thegroove 330 of the support 318. As shown in FIG. 3A, a fastener 378, suchas a pin, rod, or other fastening device, may then be inserted throughthe first hole 332 of the support 318 and the hole 372 of the first tab370 of the support 316 to connect the supports 316 and 318 together.According to some embodiments, the assembly of the first tab 370 of thesupport 316, the groove 330 of the support 318, and the fastener 378acts as a hinge allowing the support 316 to rotate about the fastener378, as described further herein.

Continuing with FIG. 3B, the support 316, according to some embodiments,also includes a second tab 374 that extends outward from the second end368 of the support 316 and is sized to be received within the groove 346of the support 322. The second tab 374 includes a hole 376 that alignswith the first hole 348 of the support 322 when the second tab 374 ofthe support 316 is inserted within the groove 346 of the support 322. Asshown in FIG. 3A, a pin assembly 380 may then be used to selectivelylock the supports 316 and 322 together. The pin assembly 380 may includea retractable pin or plunger allowing the supports 316 and 322 to beselectively locked and unlocked relative to one another. For instance,when the pin assembly 380 is in an engaged position, the pin or plungeris inserted within the first hole 348 of the support 322 and the hole376 of the second tab 374 to interlock the supports 316 and 322 togetherby locking the second tab 374 of the support 316 within the groove 346of the support 322, which puts the roller assembly 120A in a closedconfiguration, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. When the pin assembly 380 isin a released position, such as when a ring or handle of the pinassembly 380 is pulled, the pin or plunger is retracted from the firsthole 348 of the support 322 and the hole 376 of the second tab 374 tounlock the supports 316 and 322, allowing the second tab 374 of thesupport to be withdrawn from the groove 346 of the support 322 when thesupport 316 is rotated upward about the fastener 378, which puts theroller assembly 120A in an open configuration, as discussed furtherherein. Non-limiting examples of the pin assembly 380 includespring-loaded pull pins, indexing plungers, and quick release pins.

According to embodiments, the head portion 300 of the roller assembly120A is assembled by connecting the support 318 to the bracket 324 usingthe fastening assembly 338 and then inserting the first protrusion 362of the support 320 into the second hole 340 of the support 318. Theroller 304C may then be assembled on the support 320 by sliding theroller 304C over the support 320 such that the support 320 engages theinterior cavity of the roller 304C. Once the roller 304C is positionedover the support 320, the support 322 may be connected to the support320 by inserting the second protrusion 364 of the support 320 into thesecond hole (not shown) of the support 322. The support 322 can then beaffixed to the bracket 324 using the fastening assembly 354. Once thesupports 318 and 322 are interlocked with the support 320 and connectedto the bracket 324, the roller 304D may be assembled on the support 318by sliding the roller 304D over the support 318 such that the support318 engages the interior cavity of the roller 304D. Similarly, theroller 304B may be assembled on the support 322 by sliding the roller304B over the support 322 such that the support 322 engages the interiorcavity of the roller 304B.

After assembling the rollers 304B, 304C, and 304D on the supports 322,320, and 318, respectively, the support 316 is connected to the supports318 and 322. According to some embodiments, the first tab 370 of thesupport 316 is inserted within the groove 330 of the support 318, andthe fastener 378 is then inserted through the first hole 332 of thesupport 318 and the hole 372 of the first tab 370 of the support 316 toconnect the supports 316 and 318 together in a hinged configuration thatallows the support 316 to rotate about the fastener 378. The roller 304Acan then be assembled on the support 316 by sliding the roller 304A overthe support 316 such that the support 316 engages the interior cavity ofthe roller 304A. In some embodiments, the support 316 includes a stop382, as shown in FIG. 3A, extending outward from the surface of thesupport 316 and positioned at the second end 368 of the support 316 toretain the roller 304A on the support 316 when the roller assembly 120Ais placed in the open configuration. Non-limiting examples of the stopinclude a screw, bolt, and rivet.

The second tab 374 of the support 316 can then be locked within thegroove 346 of the support 322 by putting the pin assembly 380 in anengaged position, which places the roller assembly 120A in the closedconfiguration such that conductors being pulled from a source to adestination can be maintained within the roller assembly 120A. To easilyload conductors into the roller assembly 120A or remove conductors fromthe roller assembly 120A, the roller assembly 120A can be placed in theopen configuration by putting the pin assembly 380 in a retractedposition and rotating the support 316 and roller 304A upward about thefastener 378 to remove the second tab 374 of the support 316 from thegroove 346 of the support 322.

Considering the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3C-3E, therollers 304A′ and 304D′ are retained within a first L-shaped bracket 802via a support 316′ and a support 318′, respectively, and the rollers304B′ and 304C′ are retained within a second L-shaped bracket 804 via asupport 322′ and a support 320′, respectively. According to someembodiments, a first end 806 of the first L-shaped bracket 802interlocks with a first end 808 of the second L-shaped bracket 804 andis attached, in a hinged configuration, to the first end 808 of thesecond L-shaped bracket 804 via a fastener 810 to allow the firstL-shaped bracket 802 to rotate relative the second L-shaped bracket 804to place the roller assembly 120A′ in an open configuration to easilyload and/or remove conductors from the roller assembly 120A′, asillustrated in FIG. 3E. A second end 812 of the second L-shaped bracket804 may be interlocked with a second end 814 of the first L-shapedbracket 802, and a pin assembly 816 may then be used to selectively lockthe second end 812 of the second L-shaped bracket 804 and the second end814 of the first L-shaped bracket 802 together. The pin assembly 816 mayinclude a retractable pin or plunger allowing the first L-shaped bracket802 and the second L-shaped bracket 804 to be selectively locked andunlocked relative to one another. Non-limiting examples of the pinassembly 816 include spring-loaded pull pins, indexing plungers, andquick release pins.

To attach the roller assembly 120A to the first base section 102A andelevate the head portion 300 above the first base section 102A, the headportion 300 of the roller assembly 120A is connected to the mountportion 302, as shown in FIG. 3A. According to embodiments, the mountportion 302 of the roller assembly 120A includes a shaft 384 and a foot386. The shaft 384 has a first end 388 and a second end 390 spaced apartfrom and opposite the first end 388. According to embodiments, the firstend 388 of the shaft 384 is connected to the bracket 324 of the headportion 300, and the second end 390 of the shaft 384 is connected to thefoot 386. The first and second ends 388 and 389 of the shaft 384 may beconnected to the bracket 324 and the foot 386, respectively, viafasteners such as screws, bolts, or nails. Alternatively, the first andsecond ends 388 and 389 of the shaft 384 may be welded to the bracket324 and the foot 386, respectively. The cross section of the shaft 384may be circular or may take other shapes such as, for example,rectangle, triangle, flat oval, hexagon, or irregular. Considering FIGS.1 and 2A-2B, the shaft 384 works to space apart the head portion 300 ofthe roller assembly 120A from the foot 386 and, when the roller assembly120A is attached to the first base section 102A, elevates the headportion 300 over the first base section 102A such that conductorsmaintained within the head portion 300 are held off the first basesection 102A as well as the floor, ground, or other surface on which thefirst base section 102A rests.

Turning back to FIG. 3A, the foot 386 of the mount portion 302 includesa first side 392, a second side 394 opposite the first side 392, and atop 396. The shaft 384 may be connected to the top 396 of the foot 386.According to embodiments, the first side 392, the second side 394, andthe top 396 of the foot 386 form a channel 398 that receives the firstbase section 102A when the roller assembly 120A is mounted on the firstbase section 102A. The foot 386 may further include a pin assembly 399for securing the roller assembly 120A to the first base section 102A.The pin assembly 399 comprises a retractable stop member, such as a pinor plunger, that extends through one of the plurality of holes 112A-112Nor one of the plurality of corresponding holes of the first tubularmember 104, through one of the plurality of holes 110A-110N or one ofthe plurality of corresponding holes of the third tubular member 108,and/or through one of the plurality of holes 114A-114N or one of theplurality of corresponding holes of the second tubular member 106, whenthe roller assembly 120A is mounted on the first base section 102A andthe pin assembly 399 is placed in an engaged position. To disengage thepin assembly 399, the pin assembly 399 is placed in a retracted positionby pulling a handle or ring of the pin assembly 399 back to retract thestop member from a hole of the first base section 102A aligned with thepin assembly 399.

According to embodiments, to attach the roller assembly 120A to thefirst base section 102A, the handle or ring of the pin assembly 399 ispulled back to place the pin assembly 399 in the retracted positionwhile the roller assembly 120A is mounted over the first base section102A and positioned on the first base section 102A to align the pinassembly 399 with one of the plurality of holes 112A-112N or one of theplurality of corresponding holes of the first tubular member 104, one ofthe plurality of holes 110A-110N or one of the plurality ofcorresponding holes of the third tubular member 108, and/or one of theplurality of holes 114A-114N or one of the plurality of correspondingholes of the second tubular member 106. The ring or handle of the pinassembly 399 is then released to place the pin assembly 399 in theengaged position to allow the pin or plunger of the pin assembly 399 toengage the aligned hole of the first base section 102A. While the rollerassembly 120A is mounted on the first base section 102A, the rollerassembly 120A can be quickly and easily repositioned along the firstbase section 102A by placing the pin assembly 399 in the retractedposition and sliding the roller assembly 120A along the first basesection 102A until the pin assembly 399 aligns with and engages anotherof the plurality of holes 112A-112N or another of the plurality ofcorresponding holes of the first tubular member 104, another of theplurality of holes 110A-110N or another of the plurality ofcorresponding holes of the third tubular member 108, or another of theplurality of holes 114A-114N or another of the plurality ofcorresponding holes of the second tubular member 106. According toembodiments, the foot 386 may include two pin assemblies 399 forengaging one of the plurality of holes 112A-112N and one of theplurality of corresponding holes of the first tubular member 104, one ofthe plurality of holes 110A-110N and one of the plurality ofcorresponding holes of the third tubular member 108, or one of theplurality of holes 114A-114N and one of the plurality of correspondingholes of the second tubular member 106.

As shown in FIG. 1, the joint 118 is attached to a base section, such asthe first base section 102A, and another base section, such as thesecond base section 102B, to connect the first and second base sections102A, 102B together in series. Although the following describes thejoint 118 as being used to connect base sections, such as the first andsecond base sections 102A, 102B, in series, it should be understood thatthe joint 118 can also be used to connect a base section and anotherelement, such as a feeder attachment 700, in series, as will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 7A-7B, or to connect other elements inseries. The joint 118 allows the conductor guide system 100 to beconfigured in a plurality of arrangements to accommodate the topography,including bends, corners, elevations, and depressions, of the route froma source to a destination that one or more conductors travel.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5F, the joint 118 will be described indetail in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Considering FIG.4A first, the joint 118 includes a first connector 402 and a secondconnector 404. According to embodiments, the first connector 402 has atwo-piece construction including, in a first piece, an outside plate 406and a post 410 extending outward from an exterior surface of the outsideplate 406 for connecting the joint 118 to a base section, such as thefirst base section 102A, and including, in a second piece, an insideplate 414 and a mating portion 418 extending outward from an interiorsurface of the inside plate 414 for coupling the first connector 402with the second connector 404. As shown in FIG. 4A and according toembodiments, the post 410 is a tube having a pin assembly 412, similarto the pin assemblies 116A-116B of the first base section 102A describedabove, including a retractable stop member, such as a pin or plunger,that extends through an opening in a first side of the post 410 and intoa hole aligned with the pin assembly 412 to engage whatever isassociated with the hole, when the pin assembly 412 is placed in anengaged position. The post 410 may also have a corresponding hole (notshown), that aligns with the pin assembly 412, passing through a secondside of the post 410 opposing the first side. To connect the post 410with a base section, such as the first base section 102A, the post 410may be sized to receive the first base section 102A within the post 410.When the first base section 102A is inserted within the post 410, thepin assembly 412 can be placed in a retracted position and aligned witha hole, such as the hole 114N of the second tubular member 106, of thefirst base section 102A. The pin assembly 412 can then be placed back inan engaged position such that the pin or plunger of the pin assembly 412engages the hole 114N of the second tubular member 106 of the first basesection 102A to lock the first connector 402 of the joint 118, andultimately the entire joint 118, and the first base section 102Atogether. Alternatively, the post 410 may be sized to allow the post 410to be inserted within an end of the first base section 102A, and thesecond tubular member 106, instead of the post 410, may include a pinassembly for engaging a hole of the post 410. Although the post 410 isshown having a square cross section, the cross section of the post 410may have another shape such as, for example, a circle, hexagon, octagon,or other polygon as long as the shape of the cross section of the post410 corresponds with the element with which the post 410 is connectedsuch that the element can be inserted within the post 410 or the post410 can be inserted within the element.

According to embodiments, the outside plate 406 of the first connector402 is connected to the inside plate 414 of the first connector 402 by aconnection element (not shown), such as for example a pin or rod, thatallows the first piece of the first connector 402, namely the outsideplate 406 and the post 410, to remain attached to the second piece ofthe first connector 402, namely the inside plate 414 and the matingportion 418, yet rotate freely about a first pivot point 446 relative tothe second piece of the first connector 402 and also allows the secondpiece of the first connector 402 to rotate freely about the first pivotpoint 446 relative to the first piece of the first connector 402. Theoutside plate 406, according to embodiments, includes a pin assembly408, similar to the other pin assemblies described herein, positionedproximate an outside edge of the outside plate 406. When placed in aretracted position, the pin assembly 408 allows the first piece of thefirst connector 402 and the second piece of the first connector 402 tobe rotated about the first pivot point 446 relative to one another. Theinside plate 414 comprises a plurality of holes 416A-416N, each of whichcan be engaged by a pin or plunger of the pin assembly 408 of theoutside plate 406, when the pin assembly 408 is placed in a retractedposition, to lock the outside plate 406 and the inside plate 414together to prevent the first piece of the first connector 402 fromrotating about the first pivot point 446 relative to the second piece ofthe first connector 402 and, similarly, to prevent the second piece ofthe first connector 402 from rotating about the first pivot point 446relative to the first piece of the first connector 402. The plurality ofholes 416A-416N of the inside plate 414 may be arranged to form a radialarray around an outside edge of the inside plate 414. According toembodiments, the shape of the cross section of each of the outside plate406 and the inside plate 414 is a hexagon. However, the shape of thecross section of each of the outside plate 406 and the inside plate 414may also be a square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, or other polygon.

Considering FIG. 4A further, the mating portion 418 of the firstconnector 402, according to embodiments, extends outward from below thecenter of the interior surface of the inside plate 414 and includes aplurality of raised portions 420A-420N extending outward from aninterior surface of the mating portion 418. The mating portion 418 alsoincludes an opening 424 extending through the mating portion 418. Theopening 424 may be threaded for receiving a threaded fastener 460, asdiscussed further below. The plurality of raised portions 420A-420N maybe arranged to form a radial array around the opening 424 or may bearranged to form another pattern around the opening 424. According tosome embodiments, the interior surface of the mating portion 418 doesnot include the plurality of raised portions 420A-420N and, instead, hasa substantially smooth profile. As discussed further below, the matingportion 418 can be coupled with the second connector 404 to connect thefirst connector 402 and the second connector 404 together.

According to embodiments, like the first connector 402, the secondconnector 404 has a two-piece construction including, in a first piece,an outside plate 426 and a post 430 extending outward from an exteriorsurface of the outside plate 426 for connecting the joint 118 to a basesection, such as the second base section 102B, and including, in asecond piece, an inside plate 434 and a mating portion 438 extendingoutward from an interior surface of the inside plate 434 for couplingthe second connector 404 with the first connector 402. As shown in FIG.4A and according to embodiments, the post 430 is a tube having a pinassembly 432, similar to the pin assemblies 116A-116B of the first basesection 102A described above, including a retractable stop member, suchas a pin or plunger, that extends through an opening in a first side ofthe post 430 and into a hole aligned with the pin assembly 432 to engagewhatever is associated with the hole, when the pin assembly 432 isplaced in an engaged position. The post 430 may also have acorresponding hole (not shown), that aligns with the pin assembly 432,passing through a second side of the post 430 opposing the first side.To connect the post 430 with a base section, such as the second basesection 102B, the post 430 may be sized to receive the second basesection 102B within the post 430. When the second base section 102B isinserted within the post 430, the pin assembly 432 can be placed in aretracted position to align a hole of the second base section 102B withthe pin assembly 432 of the post 430, which is then placed back in anengaged position such that the pin or plunger of the pin assembly 432engages the hole of the second base section 102B to lock the secondconnector 404 of the joint 118, and ultimately the entire joint 118, andthe second base section 102B together. Alternatively, the post 430 issized to be inserted within an end of the second base section 102B, andthe second base section 102B, instead of the post 430, may include a pinassembly for engaging a hole of the post 430. Although the post 430 isshown having a square cross section, the cross section of the post 430may have another shape such as, for example, a circle, hexagon, octagon,or other polygon as long as the shape of the cross section of the post430 corresponds with the element with which the post 430 is mated suchthat the element can be inserted within the post 430 or the post 430 canbe inserted within the element.

According to embodiments, the outside plate 426 of the second connector404 is connected to the inside plate 434 of the second connector 404 bya connection element (not shown), such as for example a pin or a rod,that allows the first piece of the second connector 404, namely theoutside plate 426 and the post 430, to remain attached to the secondpiece of the second connector 404, namely the inside plate 434 and themating portion 438, yet rotate freely about a second pivot point 448relative to the second piece of the second connector 404 and also allowsthe second piece of the second connector 404 to rotate freely about thesecond pivot point 448 relative to the first piece of the secondconnector 404. The outside plate 426, according to embodiments, includesa pin assembly 428, similar to the other pin assemblies describedherein, positioned proximate an outside edge of the outside plate 426.When placed in a retracted position, the pin assembly 428 allows thefirst piece of the second connector 404 and the second piece of thesecond connector 404 to be rotated about the second pivot point 448relative to one another. The inside plate 434 comprises a plurality ofholes 436A-436N, each of which can be engaged by a pin or plunger of thepin assembly 428 of the outside plate 426, when the pin assembly 428 isplaced in a retracted position, to lock the outside plate 426 and theinside plate 434 together to prevent the first piece of the secondconnector 404 from rotating about the second pivot point 448 relative tothe second piece of the second connector 404 and, similarly, to preventthe second piece of the second connector 404 from rotating about thesecond pivot point 448 relative to the first piece of the secondconnector 404. The plurality of holes 436A-436N of the inside plate 434may be arranged to form a radial array around an outside edge of theinside plate 434. According to embodiments, the shape of the crosssection of each of the outside plate 426 and the inside plate 434 is ahexagon. However, the shape of the cross section of each of the outsideplate 426 and the inside plate 434 may also be a square, pentagon,hexagon, heptagon, or other polygon.

Considering FIG. 4A further, the mating portion 438 of the secondconnector 404, according to embodiments, extends outward from above thecenter of the interior surface of the inside plate 434 and includes aplurality of raised portions 440A-440N, like the plurality of raisedportions 420A-420N of the mating portion 418, extending outward from aninterior surface of the mating portion 438. The mating portion 438 alsoincludes an opening 444 extending through the mating portion 438. Likethe opening 424 of the mating portion 418, the opening 444 of the matingportion 438 may be threaded to receive the threaded fastener 460, asdescribed further below. The plurality of raised portions 440A-440N maybe arranged to form a radial array around the opening 444 or may bearranged to form another pattern around the opening 444. According tosome embodiments, the interior surface of the mating portion 438 doesnot include the plurality of raised portions 440A-440N and, instead, hasa substantially smooth profile.

Considering FIGS. 4A and 5A and according to embodiments, the firstconnector 402 and the second connector 404 are assembled together bycoupling the mating portion 418 of the first connector 402 with themating portion 438 of the second connector 404 so that the plurality ofraised portions 420A-420N of the mating portion 418 is received within aplurality of spaces 442 between the plurality of raised portions440A-440N of the mating portion 438, the plurality of raised portions440A-440N of the mating portion 438 is received within a plurality ofspaces 422 between the plurality of raised portions 420A-420N of themating portion 418, and the opening 424 of the mating portion 418 isaligned with the opening 444 of the mating portion 438. According toembodiments, the threaded fastener 460, which may be a screw or a bolt,is screwed into the opening 424 of the mating portion 418 and theopening 444 of the mating portion 438 to connect the first connector 402and the second connector 404 together to form the joint 118. When thethreaded fastener 460 is screwed into the openings 424, 444, andtightened, the plurality of raised portions 420A-420N of the matingportion 418 is locked within the plurality of spaces 442 between theplurality of raised portions 440A-440N of the mating portion 438, andthe plurality of raised portions 440A-440N of the mating portion 438 islocked within the plurality of spaces 422 between the plurality ofraised portions 420A-420N of the mating portion 418. When the threadedfastener 460 is screwed into the openings 424, 444, but not tightened soas to lock the plurality of raised portions 420A-420N of the matingportion 418 within the plurality of spaces 442 between the plurality ofraised portions 440A-440N of the mating portion 438 and the plurality ofraised portions 440A-440N of the mating portion 438 within the pluralityof spaces 422 between the plurality of raised portions 420A-420N of themating portion 418, the first connector 402 is rotatable about a thirdpivot point 450 relative to the second connector 404, and the secondconnector 404 is rotatable about the third pivot point 450 relative tothe first connector 402. When the threaded fastener 460 is nottightened, the plurality of raised portions 420A-420N of the matingportion 418 and the plurality of raised portions 440A-440N of the matingportion 438 can slide over one another as the first connector 402 andthe second connector 404 are rotated about the third pivot point 450relative to one another.

Turning now to FIGS. 5A-5G, the configurations achievable by theconductor guide system 100 based on the joint 118 described above withreference to FIG. 4A will be described in detail in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. FIGS. 5A-5B show a side view and a top view,respectively, of the joint 118 arranged in a linear configuration. Inthe linear configuration, the first connector 402 and the secondconnector 404 are rotated about the third pivot point 450 relative toone another such that an angle 500 between the first base section 102Aand the second base section 102B is approximately 180 degrees, as shownin FIG. 5B. In the linear configuration, the vertical angle of the firstbase section 102A and the second base section 102B relative to axy-plane indicated in FIG. 5A is 0 degrees. The linear configuration ofthe first base section 102A and the second base section 102B may be usedon one or more portions of a route from a conductor source to aconductor destination that have a relatively straight, flat topography.

FIGS. 5C-5D show a side view and a top view, respectively, of the joint118 arranged in an angled configuration. In the angled configuration,according to embodiments, the second connector 404 is rotated about thethird pivot point 450 relative to the first connector 402 creating anangle 502 between the first base section 102A and the second basesection 102B that is less than 180 degrees, as shown in FIG. 5D, orgreater than 180 degrees. According to embodiments, the joint 118 allowsbase sections, such as the first and second base sections 102A, 102B, tobe rotated about the third pivot point 450 relative to one another toachieve angles between the first and second base sections 102A, 102B ofapproximately 90 degrees to approximately 270 degrees at incrementsbased on the width of the widest portion of each of the plurality ofraised portions 420A-420N and 440A-440N of the first and secondconnectors 402, 404, respectively. In the angled configuration, thevertical angle of the first base section 102A and the second basesection 102B relative to an xy-plane, shown in FIG. 5C, is 0 degrees.The angled configuration of the first base section 102A and the secondbase section 102B may be used on one or more portions of a route from aconductor source to a conductor destination that has a relatively flattopography but that has corners and bends that need to be maneuvered.

FIGS. 5E-5F show a side view and a top view, respectively, of the joint118 arranged in a compound angled configuration. In the compound angledconfiguration, according to embodiments, the second connector 404 isrotated about the third pivot point 450 relative to the first connector402 creating an angle 504 between the first base section 102A and thesecond base section 102B that can be less than 180 degrees, as seen inFIG. 5F, or can be greater than 180 degrees, and the second piece of thefirst connector 402, namely the inside plate 414 and the mating portion418, is rotated about the first pivot point 446 relative to the firstpiece of the first connector 402, namely the outside plate 406 and thepost 410, causing the second base section 102B to have either an angleof elevation 506 relative to an xy-plane, as shown in FIG. 5E, or anangle of depression relative to the xy-plane. The second piece of thesecond connector 404, namely the inside plate 434 and the mating portion438, can also be rotated about the second pivot point 448 relative tothe first piece of the second connector 404, namely the outside plate426 and the post 430, causing the first base section 102A to have eitheran angle of elevation or an angle of depression relative to thexy-plane. Thus, the joint 118 allows base sections, such as the firstand second base sections 102A and 102B, to each be rotated about each ofthe first pivot point 446, the second pivot point 448, and the thirdpivot point 450 to cause one or both of the first and second basesections 102A and 102B to have angles of elevation or depressionrelative to the xy-plane; to allow the angles of elevation or depressionrelative to the xy-plane of one or both of the first and second basesections 102A and 102B to be varied; and to allow the angle between thefirst base section 102A and the second base section 102B to be varied.Thus, according to embodiments, the joint 118 allows the first basesection 102A to be configured to extend variously into thethree-dimensional space defined by the octants III, IV, VII, and VIIIcreated by the intersection of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, as shownin FIG. 5G, and allows the second base section 102B to be configured toextend variously into the three-dimensional space defined by the octantsI, II, V, and VI created by the intersection of the x-axis, y-axis, andz-axis, as also shown in FIG. 5G. The compound angled configuration ofthe first base section 102A and the second base section 102B may be usedon one or more portions of a route from a conductor source to aconductor destination that have inclines and depressions, such as stairsand walls, that must be traversed as well as bends and corners that mustbe maneuvered.

Turning to FIG. 4B, in an alternative embodiment from the embodimentdescribed above where the first connector 402 and the second connector404 of the joint 118 are each two-piece constructions, a joint 118′ isdescribed having a first connector 402′ and a second connector 404′,each having a single-piece construction. The first connector 402′includes a plate 406′; a post 410′ extending outward from an exteriorsurface of the plate 406′ for connecting the joint 118′ to a basesection, such as the first base section 102A; and a mating portion 418′extending outward from an interior surface of the plate 406′ forcoupling the first connector 402′ with the second connector 404′. Asshown in FIG. 4B and according to embodiments, the post 410′ has aplurality of blind holes 412′ extending through a portion of the post410′. According to embodiments, each side of the post 410′ has one ofthe plurality of blind holes 412′ extending therethrough. To connect thepost 410′ with a base section, such as the first base section 102A, thepost 410′ may be sized to allow the post 410′ to be inserted within anend of the first base section 102A. When the post 410′ is insertedwithin the end of the first base section 102A, a pin assembly of thefirst base section 102A can be placed in a retracted position to allowthe post 410′ to be positioned such that one of the plurality blindholes 412′ of the post 410′ aligns with the pin assembly of the firstbase section 102A. The pin assembly of the first base section 102A canthen be placed back in an engaged position such that the pin or plungerof the pin assembly engages the blind hole 412′ of the post 410′ to lockthe first connector 402′ of the joint 118′ and the first base section102A together. According to embodiments, the shape of the cross sectionof the post 410′ is a hexagon and the resulting number of the pluralityof blind holes 412′ of the post 410′ is eight. It is appreciated thatthe shape of the cross section of the post 410′ may be another shapesuch as, for example, a square, pentagon, or other polygon shape, andthe number of the plurality of blind holes 412′ may depend on the numberof sides of the shape. Alternatively, the cross section of the post 410′may be a circle, and the number of the plurality of blind holes 412′ ofthe post 410′ may depend on the circumference of the post 410′.

As discussed above, the post 410′ of the first connector 402′ can beinserted within the end of the first base section 102A to connect thefirst connector 402′ to the first base section 102A. When the firstconnector 402′ and the first base section 102A are connected and a pinassembly of the first base section 102A is in a retracted position, thepost 410′ of the first connector 402′ can be rotated within the firstbase section 102A, or pulled out from within the first base section102A, rotated, and then inserted back in the first base section 102A,causing the first connector 402′ to rotate about a first pivot point446′ relative to the first base section 102A, and the first base section102A can be rotated about the first pivot point 446′ relative to thefirst connector 402′. The pin assembly of the first base section 102A,when aligned with one of the blind holes 412′ of the first connector402′ and placed in the engaged position, locks the first base section102A and the first connector 402′ together to prevent the first basesection 102A from rotating about the first pivot point 446′ relative tothe first connector 402′ and, similarly, to prevent the first connector402′ from rotating about the first pivot point 446′ relative to thefirst base section 102A.

Considering FIG. 4B further, the mating portion 418′ of the firstconnector 402′, according to embodiments, extends outward from below thecenter of the interior surface of the plate 406′. According to someembodiments, an interior surface of the mating portion 418′ has asubstantially smooth profile. Alternatively, the mating portion 418′ mayinclude a plurality of raised portions (not shown), similar to theplurality of raised portions 420A-420N of the joint 118, extendingoutward from the interior surface of the mating portion 418′. The matingportion 418′ also includes an opening (not shown), similar to theopening 424 of the joint 118, extending through the mating portion 418.The opening may be threaded for receiving a threaded fastener 460′, asdiscussed further below. The plurality of raised portions may bearranged to form a radial array around the opening, similar to theplurality of raised portions 420A-420N of the joint 118, or may bearranged to form another pattern around the opening. As discussedfurther below, the mating portion 418′ can be coupled with the secondconnector 404′ to connect the first connector 402′ and the secondconnector 404′ together.

According to embodiments, like the first connector 402′, the secondconnector 404′ has a plate 426′; a post 430′ extending outward from anexterior surface of the plate 426′ for connecting the joint 118′ to abase section, such as the second base section 102B; and a mating portion438′ extending outward from an interior surface of the plate 426′ forcoupling the second connector 404′ with the first connector 402′. Asshown in FIG. 4B and according to embodiments, the post 430′ has aplurality of blind holes 432′ extending through a portion of the post430′. According to embodiments, each side of the post 430′ has one ofthe plurality of blind holes 432′ extending therethrough. To connect thepost 430′ with a base section, such as the second base section 102B, thepost 430′ may be sized to allow the post 430′ to be inserted within anend of the second base section 102B. When the post 430′ is insertedwithin the end of the second base section 102B, a pin assembly of secondbase section 102B can be placed in a retracted position to allow thepost 430′ to be positioned such that one of the plurality of blind holes432′ of the post 430′ aligns with the pin assembly of the second basesection 102B. The pin assembly of the second base section 102B can thenbe placed back in an engaged position such that the pin or plunger ofthe pin assembly engages the blind hole 432′ of the post 430′ to lockthe second connector 404′ of the joint 118′ and the second base section102B together. According to embodiments, the shape of the cross sectionof the post 430′ is a hexagon and the resulting number of the pluralityof blind holes 432′ of the post 430′ is eight. It is appreciated thatthe shape of the cross section of the post 430′ may be another shapesuch as, for example, a square, pentagon, or other polygon shape, andthe number of the plurality of blind holes 432′ may depend on the numberof sides of the shape. Alternatively, the cross section of the post 430′may be a circle, and number of the plurality of blind holes 432′ of thepost 430′ may depend on the circumference of the post 430′.

As discussed above, the post 430′ of the second connector 404′ can beinserted within the end of the second base section 102B to connect thesecond connector 404′ to the second base section 102B. When the secondconnector 404′ and the second base section 102B are connected and thepin assembly of the second base section 102B is in a retracted position,the post 430′ of the second connector 404′ can be rotated within thesecond base section 102B, or pulled out from within the second basesection 102B, rotated, and then inserted back in the second base section102B, causing the second connector 404′ to rotate about a second pivotpoint 448′ relative to the second base section 102B, and the second basesection 102B can be rotated about the second pivot point 448′ relativeto the second connector 404′. The pin assembly of the second basesection 102B, when aligned with one of the blind holes 432′ of thesecond connector 404′ and placed in the engaged position, locks thesecond base section 102B and the second connector 404′ together toprevent the second base section 102B from rotating about the secondpivot point 448′ relative to the second connector 404′ and, similarly,to prevent the second connector 404′ from rotating about the secondpivot point 448′ relative to the second base section 102B.

Considering FIG. 4B further, the mating portion 438′ of the secondconnector 404′, according to embodiments, extends outward from above thecenter of the interior surface of the plate 426′. According toembodiments, an interior surface of the mating portion 438′ has asubstantially smooth profile. Alternatively, the mating portion 438′includes a plurality of raised portions, similar to the plurality ofraised portions 440A-440N of the joint 118, extending outward from aninterior surface of the mating portion 438′. The mating portion 438′also includes an opening, similar to the opening 444 of the joint 118,extending through the mating portion 438′. The opening of the matingportion 438′ may be threaded to receive the threaded fastener 460′, asdescribed further below. The plurality of raised portions, like theplurality of raised portions 440A-440N of the joint 118, may be arrangedto form a radial array around the opening or may be arranged to formanother pattern around the opening. According to some embodiments, theinterior surface of the mating portion 438′ does not include theplurality of raised portions and, instead, has a substantially smoothprofile.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the first connector 402′ and the secondconnector 404′ are assembled together by coupling the mating portion418′ of the first connector 402′ with the mating portion 438′ of thesecond connector 404′ so that, according to embodiments, the pluralityof raised portions of the mating portion 418′ is received within aplurality of spaces between the plurality of raised portions of themating portion 438′, the plurality of raised portions of the matingportion 438′ is received within a plurality of spaces between theplurality of raised portions of the mating portion 418′, and the openingof the mating portion 418′ is aligned with the opening of the matingportion 438′. According to embodiments, the threaded fastener 460′,which may be a screw or a bolt, is screwed into the opening of themating portion 418′ and the opening of the mating portion 438′ toconnect the first connector 402′ and the second connector 404′ togetherto form the joint 118′. When the threaded fastener 460′ is screwed intothe openings, but not tightened so as to lock the plurality of raisedportions of the mating portion 418′ within the plurality of spacesbetween the plurality of raised portions of the mating portion 438′ andthe plurality of raised portions of the mating portion 438′ within theplurality of spaces between the plurality of raised portions of themating portion 418′, the first connector 402′ is rotatable about a thirdpivot point 450′ relative to the second connector 404′, and the secondconnector 404′ is rotatable about the third pivot point 450′ relative tothe first connector 402′. When the threaded fastener 460′ is nottightened, the plurality of raised portions of the mating portion 418′and the plurality of raised portions of the mating portion 438′ areallowed to slide over one another as the first connector 402′ and thesecond connector 404′ are rotated about third pivot point 450′ relativeto one another.

It should be understood from the description set forth above that thejoint 118′, like the joint 118, allows the first and second basesections 102A and 102B to be placed in the linear, angled, and compoundangled configurations described above with reference to FIGS. 5A-5F.Moreover, like the joint 118, the joint 118′ allows base sections, suchas the first and second base sections 102A, 102B, to each be rotatedabout each of the first pivot point 446′, the second pivot point 448′,and the third pivot point 450′ to cause one or both of the first andsecond base sections 102A, 102B to have angles of elevation ordepression relative to the xy-plane; to allow the angles of elevation ordepression relative to the xy-plane of one or both of the first andsecond base sections 102A, 102B to be varied; and to allow the anglebetween the first base section 102A and the second base section 102B tobe varied. Thus, according to embodiments, the joint 118′ allows thefirst base section 102A to be configured to extend variously into thethree-dimensional space defined by the octants III, IV, VII, and VIIIcreated by the intersection of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, as shownin FIG. 5G, and allows the second base section 102B to be configured toextend variously into the three-dimensional space defined by the octantsI, II, V, and VI created by the intersection of the x-axis, y-axis, andz-axis, as also shown in FIG. 5G.

Turning now to FIGS. 6A-6B, a reel attachment 600 will be described indetail in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The reelattachment 600 connects, at a first end, to a base section, such as thefirst base section 102A, and connects, at a second end, to a source ofconductors, such as a conductor reel 602, to guide conductors from theconductor reel 602 to a first roller assembly, such as the rollerassembly 120A, as the conductors are being paid off the conductor reel602. According to embodiments, the reel attachment 600 includes a firstjaw 604A and a second jaw 604B that grip an arbor tube 606 of theconductor reel 602 to connect the reel attachment 600 to the conductorreel 602. The first and second jaws 604A and 604B include, according toembodiments, a screw 608A and a screw 608B, respectively, for tighteningthe first and second jaws 604A and 604B, respectively, around the arbortube 606 after the arbor tube 606 is inserted within the first andsecond jaws 604A and 604B to secure the reel attachment 600 to theconductor reel 602. According to some embodiments, the reel attachment600 may, alternatively, comprise a first clamp and a second clamp forsecuring the reel attachment 600 to a first flange 610 and a secondflange 612, respectively, of the conductor reel 602.

According to embodiments, the reel attachment 600 includes a first armsection 614A, a second arm section 614B, a third arm section 614C, and afourth arm section 614D connected to form a V-shaped configuration whenthe reel attachment 600 is placed in an expanded configuration, which isillustrated in FIG. 6A. The first arm section 614A is connected, at afirst end, to the first jaw 604A and connected, at a second end spacedapart from and opposite the first end, to a pivot connector 616A thatconnects the first arm section 614A with the second arm section 614B inseries. The second arm section 614B is connected, at a first end, to thepivot connector 616A and, at a second end spaced apart from and oppositethe first end, to a pin bracket 618. The third arm section 614C isconnected, at a first end, to the second jaw 604B and connected, at asecond end spaced apart from and opposite the first end, to a pivotconnector 616B that connects the third arm section 614C with the fourtharm section 614D in series. The fourth arm section 614D is connected, ata first end, to the pivot connector 616B and, at a second end spacedapart from and opposite the first end, to the pin bracket 618.

The pivot connector 616A, according to embodiments, creates a firstpivot point of the reel attachment 600 and allows the second arm section614B to rotate about the pivot connector 616A relative to the first armsection 614A. Similarly, the pivot connector 616B, according toembodiments, creates a second pivot point of the reel attachment 600 andallows the fourth arm section 614D to rotate about the pivot connector616B relative to the third arm section 614C. Rotation of the second armsection 614B about the pivot connector 616A and rotation of the fourtharm section 614D about the pivot connector 616B allow the reelattachment 600 to be moved from an expanded configuration, as shown inFIG. 6A, to a collapsed configuration, as shown in FIG. 6B and discussedfurther below.

According to embodiments, the second arm section 614B and the fourth armsection 614D each includes a first tubular member and a second tubularmember having a size that will telescope, or slide, within the firsttubular member, similar to the base sections of the conductor guidesystem 100 described above, to extend and retract the length of each ofthe second arm section 614B and the fourth arm section 614D. The secondarm section 614B may include one or more holes passing through a top ofthe second arm section 614B and one or more corresponding holes passingthrough a bottom opposite the top of the second arm section 614B for usein connecting the second arm section 614B to the pin bracket 618.Similarly, the fourth arm section 614D may include one or more holespassing through a top of the fourth arm section 614D and one or morecorresponding holes passing through a bottom opposite the top of thefourth arm section 614D for use in connecting the fourth arm section614D to the pin bracket 618. The second and fourth arm sections 614B,614D may also each include a pin assembly, similar to the pin assembliesdescribed above, for locking the first tubular member of the second armsection 614B relative to the second tubular member of the second armsection 614B and for locking the first tubular member of the fourth armsection 614D relative to the second tubular member of the fourth armsection 614D.

According to embodiments, the pin bracket 618 includes a top 620, abottom 622, and a side 624 that form a channel for receiving the secondarm section 614B and the fourth arm section 614D. The top 620 mayinclude a plurality of holes extending therethrough that align with aplurality of corresponding holes extending through the bottom 622.According to embodiments, once the second arm section 614B is positionedwithin the channel of the pin bracket 618 and a hole and correspondinghole of the second arm section 614B are aligned with a hole and acorresponding hole of the pin bracket 618, a fastener, such as a pin orrod, can be inserted through the holes to create a third pivot point ofthe reel attachment 600 that connects the second arm section 614B to thepin bracket 618 such that the pin bracket 618 is rotatable about thefastener relative to the second arm section 614B and the second armsection 614B is rotatable about the fastener relative to the pin bracket618. Similarly, once the fourth arm section 614D is positioned withinthe channel of the pin bracket 618 and a hole and corresponding hole ofthe fourth arm section 614D are aligned with a hole and a correspondinghole of the pin bracket 618, a fastener, such as a pin or rod, can beinserted through the holes to create a fourth pivot point of the reelattachment 600 that connects the fourth arm section 614D to the pinbracket 618 such that the pin bracket 618 is rotatable about thefastener relative to the fourth arm section 614D and the fourth armsection 614D is rotatable about the fastener relative to the pin bracket618.

The first, second, third and fourth pivot points of the reel attachment600 allow the reel attachment 600 to be placed in the expandedconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 6A, when connecting a source, such asthe conductor reel 602, to the conductor guide system 100, and alsoallows the reel attachment 600 to be placed in a collapsedconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 6B, while the reel attachment 600 isbeing transported. According to embodiments, the reel attachment 600 canbe placed in the collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 6B by retractingthe first tubular member of each of the second and fourth arm sections614B, 614D within the second tubular member of each of the second andfourth arm sections 614B, 614D, respectively, and then rotating thesecond arm section 614B about both the first pivot point and the thirdpivot point to position the second arm section 614B along an interiorside of the first arm section 614A and rotating the fourth arm section614D about both the second pivot point and the fourth pivot point toposition the fourth arm section 614D along an interior side of the thirdarm section 614C.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a first tab 626A and a second tab 626B extendoutward from the side 624 of the pin bracket 618 for connecting the reelattachment 600 to a base section, such as the first base section 102A.The first and second tabs 626A and 626B include holes that can each bealigned with a hole and corresponding hole, respectively, of a basesection of the conductor guide system 100 to receive a pin or rodtherethrough to connect the reel attachment 600 to the conductor guidesystem 100. Alternatively, a pin assembly of a base section of theconductor guide system 100 may be used to engage the hole of one or bothof the first and second tabs 626A, 626B to connect the reel attachment600 to the conductor guide system 100.

Once conductors that have been guided by the conductor guide system 100arrive at a destination, such as a conduit, raceway, or cable track, theconductors can be directed to an opening of the conduit, raceway, orcable track by the feeder attachment 700, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.According to embodiments, the feeder attachment 700 includes a braceportion 702 having a Y-shaped configuration attached, at a first end, tothe joint 118. The joint 118 allows the feeder attachment 700 to berotated about each of the first pivot point 446, the second pivot point448, and the third pivot point 450, shown in FIG. 4A, to cause thefeeder attachment 700 to have angles of elevation or depression relativeto the xy-plane; to allow the angles of elevation or depression relativeto the xy-plane of the feeder attachment 700 to be varied, one exampleof which is shown by comparing FIGS. 7A and 7B; and to allow the anglebetween the feeder attachment 700 and a base section also connected tothe joint 118, such as the first base section 102A, to be varied.Allowing the feeder attachment 700 to be configured to have angles ofelevation or depression relative to the xy-plane allows the feederattachment 700 to guide conductors into overhead conduits, raceways, andcable trays as well as into underground conduits. According toembodiments, the joint 118 allows the feeder attachment 700 to beconfigured, based on the assembly illustrated by FIG. 7A, to extendvariously into the three-dimensional space defined by the octants I, II,V, and VI created by the intersection of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis,as shown in FIG. 5G, and allows the first base section 102A to beconfigured to extend variously into the three-dimensional space definedby the octants III, IV, VII, and VIII created by the intersection of thex-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, as also shown in FIG. 5G.

As the brace portion 702 extends from the first end to a second end, thebrace portion 702 divides into a first prong 704A and a second prong704B. According to embodiments, an adapter bracket 706 is retainedbetween the first prong 704A and the second prong 704B of the braceportion 702 via a pivot shaft 714, allowing the adapter bracket 706 torotate relative to the brace portion 702 to help direct one or moreconductors feeding through the roller assembly 120A into a conduit,raceway, or cable tray. According to embodiments, the adapter bracket706 includes a pair of plates 710A and 710B having a series of holes 716passing through each of the plates 710A, 710B that are concentric to thepivot shaft 714. A pin 718 may be inserted through a hole 720 passingthrough the second prong 704B, through the holes 716 of the plates 710Aand 710B aligned with the hole 720, and through a hole of the firstprong 704A corresponding to the hole 720 of the second prong 704B tolock the adapter bracket 706 in a desired orientation for directing theconductors feeding through the roller assembly 120A into a conduit,raceway, or cable tray. According to some embodiments, a pulley 708 ismounted on the pivot shaft 714 and retained between the pair of plates710A and 710B. The pulley 708 supports the movement and change ofdirection of the conductors as the conductors are feed into a conduit,raceway, or cable tray. The adapter bracket 706 may also include asurface 712 to which an adapter 722 may be mounted. The adapter 722 maybe bolted to the surface 712 of the adapter bracket 706 or attached viakeyed slots or other suitable attachment elements. According toembodiments, the adapter 722 is configured to engage a conduit to braceat least a portion of the conductor guide system 100 against the conduitand aid in feeding one or more conductors being directed by theconductor guide system 100 into the conduit.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications andchanges may be made to the subject matter described herein withoutfollowing the example embodiments and applications illustrated anddescribed, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of thepresent invention, which is encompassed in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conductor guide system comprising: a first basesection; a second base section; a joint for assembling the first basesection and the second base section in series; and a roller assembly forholding one or more linear elements, wherein the roller assemblycomprises a head portion and a foot, wherein the roller assembly ismountable on one of the first base section or the second base sectionvia the foot, wherein the roller assembly is repositionable along alength of at least one of the first base section or the second basesection, and wherein the head portion of the roller assembly is spacedapart from the foot of the roller assembly and from the one of the firstbase section or the second base section when the roller assembly ismounted on the one of the first base section or the second base section.2. The conductor guide system of claim 1, wherein the first base sectioncomprises a plurality of tubular members.
 3. The conductor guide systemof claim 2, wherein at least a first tubular member of the plurality oftubular members of the first base section telescopes within a secondtubular member of the plurality of tubular members of the first basesection.
 4. The conductor guide system of claim 1, wherein the rollerassembly, when mounted on the one of the first base section or thesecond base section, holds the one or more linear elements off of theone of the first base section or the second base section on which theroller assembly is mounted.
 5. The conductor guide system of claim 1,wherein the second base section comprises a plurality of tubularmembers.
 6. The conductor guide system of claim 5, wherein at least afirst tubular member of the plurality of tubular members of the secondbase section telescopes within a second tubular member of the pluralityof tubular members of the second base section.
 7. The conductor guidesystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first base section or thesecond base section is adjustable to a plurality of lengths.
 8. Theconductor guide system of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises a firstpivot point, a second pivot point, and a third pivot point, and whereinthe first base section is rotatable relative to the second base sectionvia the first pivot point, the second pivot point, and the third pivotpoint of the joint.
 9. The conductor guide system of claim 8, whereinthe second base section is rotatable relative to the first base sectionvia the first pivot point, the second pivot point, and the third pivotpoint of the joint.
 10. The conductor guide system of claim 1, whereinthe joint allows the first base section and the second base section tobe placed in a linear configuration, an angled configuration, and acompound angled configuration relative one another.
 11. The conductorguide system of claim 1, wherein the joint comprises: a first connectorcomprising a first piece comprising an outside plate, and a post forconnecting the joint to the first base section, and a second piececomprising an inside plate rotatably connected to the outside plate ofthe first piece of the first connector, and a mating portion; and asecond connector comprising a first piece comprising an outside plate,and a post for connecting the joint to the second base section, and asecond piece comprising an inside plate rotatably connected to theoutside plate of the first piece of the second connector, and a matingportion rotatably coupled to the mating portion of the second piece ofthe first connector.
 12. A conductor guide system comprising: a firstbase section; a second base section; a joint for assembling the firstbase section and the second base section in series, wherein the jointcomprises a first pivot point, a second pivot point, and a third pivotpoint, and wherein the first base section is rotatable relative to thesecond base section via the first pivot point, the second pivot point,and the third pivot point of the joint; and a roller assembly forholding one or more linear elements, wherein the roller assemblycomprises a head portion and a mounting portion, and wherein the one ormore linear elements is maintained within the head portion of the rollerassembly.
 13. The conductor guide system of claim 12, wherein the jointallows the first base section and the second base section to be placedin a linear configuration, an angled configuration, and a compoundangled configuration relative one another.
 14. The conductor guidesystem of claim 12, wherein the joint comprises: a first connectorcomprising a first piece comprising an outside plate, and a post forconnecting the joint to the first base section, and a second piececomprising an inside plate rotatably connected to the outside plate ofthe first piece of the first connector, and a mating portion; and asecond connector comprising a first piece comprising an outside plate,and a post for connecting the joint to the second base section, and asecond piece comprising an inside plate rotatably connected to theoutside plate of the first piece of the second connector, and a matingportion rotatably coupled to the mating portion of the second piece ofthe first connector.
 15. The conductor guide system of claim 12, whereinat least one of the first base section or the second base section isadjustable to a plurality of lengths.
 16. The conductor guide system ofclaim 15, wherein the first base section comprises a plurality oftubular members and wherein the second base section comprises aplurality of tubular members.
 17. The conductor guide system of claim12, wherein the roller assembly is repositionable along a length of thefirst base section and a length of the second base section.
 18. Theconductor guide system of claim 12, wherein the mounting portion of theroller assembly comprises a foot for receiving one of the first basesection or the second base section to mount the roller assembly on theone of the first base section or the second base section, and whereinthe head portion of the roller assembly is spaced apart from the foot ofthe mounting portion of the roller assembly.
 19. A conductor guidesystem comprising: a first base section; a second base section, whereinat least one of the first base section or the second base section isadjustable to a plurality of lengths; a joint for assembling the firstbase section and the second base section in series; and a rollerassembly for holding one or more linear elements, wherein the rollerassembly comprises a head portion and a foot, wherein the rollerassembly is mountable on one of the first base section or the secondbase section via the foot, and wherein the head portion of the rollerassembly is spaced apart from the foot of the roller assembly and fromthe one of the first base section or the second base section when theroller assembly is mounted on the one of the first base section or thesecond base section.
 20. The conductor guide system of claim 19, whereinthe joint comprises a first pivot point, a second pivot point, and athird pivot point, and wherein the first base section is rotatablerelative to the second base section via the first pivot point, thesecond pivot point, and the third pivot point of the joint.